Convertible table for stitching machines and the like



April 14, 1931. R. METCALF 1,800,949

CONVERTIBLE TABLE FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE I Filed Dec. 31, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l fave/21 6 April 14, 1931. F. V 1,800,949

CONVERTIBLE: 13%;: FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 51,1928. s SheiS-Sheet 2 g zozaf g April 14, 1931- l. R. METCALF 1,300,949

CONVERTIBLE TABLE FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 31, 1928 Z Sheets-Sheet 3 w 'W/AI' N 81 I U I1 I Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRVING It. METCALF, OF ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 LATHAM MACHINERY COMPANY, A COREDEATION OF ILLINOIS CONVERTIBLE TABLE FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Application filed December 31, 1928. Serial No. 329,655;

The present invention relates to a convertible table for use in connection with wlre stitching machines or various other types of machines in which it may be desirable to have the table in a horizontal position, or a portion thereof held in angular position with respect to another portion.

It has been found necessary, in connection with stitching machines, to provide two forms of tables so that either flat work or pamphlet work may be stitched bythe machine. These forms are used in connection with the stapling of flat work on the horizontal table, and stapling pamphlets accurately in the fold or crease of the pamphlet. Attempts have been made to form the table in two sections with hinges between the sections, so that the horizontal table may be adjusted to an inverted V shaped table for stitching pamphlets, but with this form, the hinges cause the inner edges of the inverted V shaped table to become separated at the apex and therebypermits inaccurate insertions of the staples in the pamphlets.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to not only eliminate the necessity of supplying twoseparate and distinct forms of tables with each machine, but

I to provide a convertible table "of such form in which the sections may be adjusted to accommodate fiat work and pamphlets. In the present form, the inner edges of both sections formingthe apex of the converted V shaped table contact, thereby insuring an accurate insertion of the staples in the groove or seam of the pamphlet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of a linking lock arrangement which locks the table under the tension of a spring, in its normal horizontal position.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a construction in combination with the convertible table which looks the sides or sec tions of the table when the table is adjusted for the accommodation of the pamphlets.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and an arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 1

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the conventional form of stitching mechanism showing my improved form of convertible table mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the construction of the supporting bracket and operating links. i

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional viewitaken on the lines 3-4) in Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the convertible tablein its horizontal position, showing a portion thereof in cross section, and

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view showing the convertible table adjusted to a position in which the sections thereof are adjusted to the position "of an inverted V, for the accommodation of pamphlets. i y

In carrying out my invention, I haveshown the same in connection with the conventional form of stitching machine which comprises the usual main frame 10, stitching head 11 and clinching block supporting arm 12. Secured to the clinching block supporting arm 12, directlyunder the stapling mechanism by means of bolts 13. is atable supporting frame or bracket 14. This bracket 14 is provided with two oppositely disposed downwardly extending portions 15, which in turn are provided with oppositely extending and outwardly projectingarms 16 and 17 The arms 16 project slightly further outwardly than the arms 17. Pivotally mounted on the arms 16 by means of threaded studs 18 are links 19. Located on one side of the links 19 adjacent the pivotal connection at 18 is a laterally projecting lug 20 which is adapted to engage a stop 21 projecting on one side of the arms 16 and in the path of movement of the link 19. This lug is soarranged as to engage thelug 20 when the link is in its normal vertical position as shown in Fig. 4. In a similar manner a link22 is pivoted through the medium of a threaded stud 23 to the arms 17 These links are similarly provided with laterally proj ecting lugs 24 which are adapted to engage stops 25 formed integrally with the arms 17 and -'laterally extending therefrom into the path of the movementof the links 22. All of these links 19 and 22 are provided with "barrels or bosses 26 located intermediate their ends and on one side thereof. Reciprocally mounted in these barrels are spring press plungers 27 which are mounted in circular sockets 28 formed in the barrels. Mounted in the sock ets 28 are compression springs 29 which have one of their ends thereof engaging thebottom of the sockets and the other of their ends enower endof the plunger extends through an aperture 31 formed in the bottom of the barrels 25 and is provided with a cotter or pin 32 for securing'the plungers from displacement from their respective barrels. The upper ends of the plungers are provided with large rectangular heads as shown at 33 and are adapted to engage the flat surfaces 34 formed on the lower-side of the hinge brackets 35. The upper'ends of the links 19 and 22 are pivotally connected to the hinge brackets 35 by means of pins 36. These hinge brackets 35 are secured to their respective table sections 37 and 38 by means of rivets 39. Located centrally of the respective table sections 37 and 38, and adjacent their contacting edges is a cut-out portion as shown at40, directly below which is located the clinching mecha-Vv nism 41 shown in Figs. 2 and 4. This clinching mechanism is secured to the top sideof the bracket 14 by means of screws 42. The inner edges of the'table sections 37 and 38 arebeveled at an angle as shown at 43 so that-when the tableis adjusted to an inverted V shape position as shown in Fig. 5 it will present a sharp apex forminga proper guide for engagement with the folded corner'of the pamphlet to thereby insure the accurate positioning of the staples in'the pamphlet. These pamphlets are fedover the inverted V shaped table'u'nder the stitching mechanismJ Each of the arms 16 and 17 have outwardly extending beveled portions as shown at 44 which are adapted to engage the under side of'the table sections adjacent the outer edges thereof so as to limit or, stop the table sections and lock tl1em in position whenthey are adjustedto that shown in Fig. 5. V In the operation of the above described device let us assumethat the table is in a horizontal position or the position shownin Fig. 4 and the operator 1s des rous of converting the tableso that it assumes an inverted V shape form or the form shown in'Fig.-' 5, one

of the sections 38, or preferably the'onter edge thereof is depressed, swinging the brackets 35 about their pivots or pins econ the links 19 thereby forcing the plunger27 against the pressure "ofthe spring byreason of the flat side 34 ofthe bracket 35 pressing the headof the plunger, 33 downwardly to a positioniin which the brackets 35 assume an angle equivalent to that shown in Fig. 5 with respect to'theirrespective links 19,'after which the table sections 38, brackets'35 and 1 1 links 19 are swung inwardly ab01'1t'their'piv-, 'ots 18'until the under side of the table secgages the shoulder 30 of the plunger 27. The.

symmetrical to the first named section after Y which the table then is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 5, in which the tapered inner edges 43 of thesetable sections contact so as to form an accurately closed apex thereby insuring the folded portion of the pamphlets being properlyguided over the clinching mechanism, so that the staples are accurately set in' the folded edges of the pamphlet.

When the operator is desirous of opening or converting the table into a horizontal pos1t1on, the reversed operation 1s necessary.

That is, the links 19 and 22 are swung outwardly until the respectivelugs 20 and 24 contact'with the respective stops 21 and25 thereby limiting or stopping the movement of these links in a vertical position. After i this hasbeen done the table sections 37 and 38 arethen swung to a horizontalposition and locked in this position by their respective spring press plungers 27 contacting'with the flat edge :34 of the respective pivot brackets. V c

From theabove description it will be seen that I have provided a simple; compact and economical construction of a." convertible table in which,when the table is adjustedto assume an inverted V shaped form, that there is no open space at the apex thereby eliminating any possibility-of the pamphlets being stapled on the folded edges.

- While in the above specification I have disclosed one embodiment which my invention may assume 1n pract1ce, 1t will of course be' understood that the same is capable of modification, and that modification may be made 7 without de'parting 'from the spirit and scope of my invention as expressed in the follow} ing claims." 7

secure by LettersPatent'is':

"1. A convertible table for stitching [machines andthe like comprising a frame,links-. pivoted to said frame, table sections adjustably secured to said links, and means for adj usting said linksand table" sections with, respect to said frame for angling sections withrespect to'each other. j j I 2. A convertible tablelfor stitching machines and' the-like comprising'a frame, table forming the connectionsbetween said sections sections mounted on said frame; and means and said frame whereby's'aid sections mayibe.

adjusted to various angular positions with respect to each other'and with respect to said frame so that the innermost edges of said sections are maintained in contact in' all'p'ositions ofadjustment. H j

3. A convertible'table for stitching me- 110 VVhatI claim as my invention and desire to lit chines and the like comprising a frame, links pivoted to the opposite sides of said frame, hinged brackets pivotally secured to said links, and table sections secured to said hinge brackets whereby said sections may be adjusted to various angular positions with respect to each other.

a. A convertible tabie for stitching machines and the like comprising a frame adapt cd to be attached to the machine, links pivoted to said frame and adapted to be stopped in certain predetermined positions, hinged brackets pivoted to the free ends of said links and adapted to be locked with respect to said links in certain predetermined positions, and table sections secured to said hinge brackets whereby said sections may be adjusted to ya rious angular positions with respect to each other.

5. A convertible table for stitching machines and the like comprising a frame, oppositely disposed pivoted links pivoted to said frame, means for stopping said links in a vertical position with respect to said frame,

hinged brackets pivoted to the free ends of said links and means for locking said hinged brackets in substantially vertical alignment with said links, and table sections secured to said hinged brackets whereby said sections may be adjusted to assume various angular positions with respect to each other.

6. A convertible table for stitching machines and the like comprising a frame, two movable sections operatively connected to said frame, and means for adjusting one section with respect to the other and for maintaining the inner edges of said sections in contact with each other so as to form a sharp apex at the point of contact.

7. A convertible table for stitching machines and the like comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the machine, links pivoted to the opposite ends of said frame, a lug formed on said link and adapted to engage a stop formed on said frame for stopping said links in a certain predetermined position with respect to said frame, hinged brackets pivoted to the free ends of said links, a spring pressed plunger carried by said links. and adapted to engage said hinged brackets for frictionally locking said hinged brackets in various angular positions with respect to said links, and table sections secured to said-hinged brackets whereby said table sections may be adjusted in various angular positions with respect to each other so that the inner edges of said sections may be held in contact with each other in various positions of adjustment.

8. A convertible table for stitching machines and the like comprising a frame, table sections mounted on said frame, and movable connections between said table sections and said frame whereby said table sections may be adjusted from a horizontal position to assume an inverted V shaped position in which the apex thereof is sharp and pointed and at the same time maintaln their inner edges in contact in either position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 20th day of December A. D. 1928.

IRVING R. METGALF. 

